Chapter 17 17 " Mr. Brooke ! We found her ! We saw her name on the contestant list for a music competition . We've confirmed it multiple times - she's in Veloria ! " The moment the news came through , Theodore was overjoyed . He immediately arranged a private jet to Veloria . The day he landed happened to be the very day Clarisse was taking part in the competition . He could not help but think back to the beginning . How he had fallen for her at first sight , watching her shine beneath the stage lights as she played the piano . And now , as if fate had looped back on itself , there he was again , as though God had decided to give him . another chance to start over . He swore to himself . This time , he would not let Clarisse suffer , not even the slightest bit ! Theodore changed into the same white suit he had worn back then , arms full of a bouquet of fresh , vibrant roses . Just like before , he was ready to confess to her again , right after her performance . He wanted to remind her of what he once was with this suit and bouquet - how he had given up everything just to have her . He believed that once she saw him like this again , she would be moved . She would remember what they had and come back to him . After all , Clarisse loved him ever so deeply . Full of confidence , he entered the concert hall and took the best seat in the audience . His heart was pounding wildly as he waited for Clarisse to appear . The lights dimmed , and the hall fell silent . A single spotlight landed on the grand piano and the center of the stage . Then , Clarisse walked out . She wore a simple white satin gown . Under the glow of the spotlights , her features looked calm and serene , yet her gaze was filled with confidence and strength . Theodore's eyes never left her , not for a second . It carried love , longing , and the sheer joy of seeing her again after thinking he had lost her forever . His mind raced back to the first time he had seen her , but no , the Clarisse standing there now was even more dazzling than before - so much so that he could hardly look away . Applause rippled through the audience , but to Theodore , all sound disappeared except for the wild thumping of his own heartbeat . His eyes drank in the sight of her glowing under the spotlight , and all he wanted was to rush up and hold her in his arms . He tightened his grip on the bouquet , imagining how they would reunite after the competition . Chapter 17 23 However , on the stage , Clarisse did not sit down at the piano right away . Instead , she turned slightly , glancing toward backstage . A soft , familiar smile curled at the corners of her lips - relaxed and full of trust . Then , Zachary walked out . He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black tailcoat , his figure tall and poised and his presence warm yet commanding . He walked straight to Clarisse's side . They exchanged a look and a smile - no words , just mutual understanding . The two of them sat together at the piano . The moment four hands touched the black - and - white keys , melody flowed like a waterfall . The audience sat in silence , swept up in the sheer beauty of the performance . Only Theodore remained frozen in his seat . His blood turned to ice . The world around him seemed to go mute . All he could see were Clarisse and Zachary's seamless movements and their chemistry together . They were sitting so close that their arms and shoulders brushed . The way their fingers moved in sync on the keys and the way they exchanged glances and smiles were unbearably intimate . Jealousy and dread exploded inside him , burning through every nerve in his body . He stared at the stage , at Clarisse's joy and the way she seemed completely focused beside Zachary . They looked perfect together . The scene hit him like a blade straight through his chest . His white suit , his carefully prepared rose - what were they worth compared to this ? How laughable they seemed in front of her and Zachary . Panic swept over him like a tidal wave . What did he have to offer ? How could he possibly compare with Zachary ? He did not understand music . He had once spent months learning just enough to play a clumsy version of " Für Elise " for Clarisse . Back then , what had moved her was his passion and his persistent love . But now ? He had broken promises , again and again . He had hurt her , again and again , for the sake of a child that was not even his . How much space could possibly be left for him in her heart ? What could he possibly offer to make her come back ? Theodore's mind spun out of control . All the confidence he had carried with him was gone . All that remained was cold , bottomless fear . Finally , the piece ended . Thunderous applause filled the hall . Clarisse and Zachary stood and bowed together , side by side , amid the roar of cheers and whistles . As she rose , Zachary naturally reached out to steady her by the arm . His actions were gracious and Chapter 17 intimate . Clarisse smiled in return , and together , they stepped off the stage . Theodore could no longer sit still . 3/3 That rising fear and the unbearable feeling that he might truly , permanently lose her sent him surging to his feet . Ignoring the looks around him , he clutched the roses and pushed his way backstage in a stumble . Frantic , he scanned the crowd until finally , in a quiet corner , he spotted Clarisse. She was facing slightly away from him , looking up at Zachary and speaking to him softly . Her eyes sparkled with ease and warm joy . And Zachary leaned in slightly as he listened intently . His gaze was gentle , and the corners of his lips curled in a faint smile . They stood close . The connection between them felt so natural . It was as though the rest of the world had been sealed off entirely . The tenderness of that moment pierced Theodore's eyes like a blade . Chapter 18 173 Chapter 18